A plethora of medical studies (see Shinrin-Yoku web site/) describes the significant health advantages that Shinrin-Yoku Therapy for Alzheimer’s can yield :

• Decreased Blood Pressure
• Decreased Blood Cortisol Levels (stress hormone)
• Improved Breathing
• Increased Vigor
• Decreased Stress
• Improved Concentration

But one of the biggest benefits may come from breathing in chemicals called phytoncides, emitted by trees and plants. Women who logged two to four hours in a forest on two consecutive days saw a nearly 40 percent surge in the activity of natural killer white blood cells (NK cells), thereby improving immunity to disease. “Phytoncide exposure reduces stress hormones, indirectly increasing the immune system’s ability to kill tumor cells,” says Tokyo-based researcher Qing Li, MD, PhD, who has studied Shinrin-Yoku.

Preparing for a Shinrin-Yoku stroll

Come prepared to silently, deliberately engage with nature using all five senses; listening to the birds chatter, feeling the movement of the wind on your cheeks, breathing in the fresh air, experiencing the varying textures of nature to your touch, and taking in all visual splendor the woods has to offer. The practice of Shinrin Yoku is about slowing down, connecting and immersing our senses in the beauty of nature allowing healing to occur naturally. Upon reaching the woods, you will be asked to shut off your cell phone and remain silent through out the experience.

Bobbi Kolonay RN MS is a Certified Holistic Nurse, Nature Lover, and Owner of Holistic Aging – Options For Elder Care: A Holistic Care Management Practice in Pittsburgh PA that helps families provide the opportunity for aging relative to AGE WELL. Shinrin-Yoku walks are offered by Holistic Aging to Seniors (and their caregivers) on a weekly basis guided by Bobbi – check our web site Holistic Aging Programs for dates and fees.

References:

Shinrin-Yoku web site

Huffington Post Article

Healing Body and Soul Through the Japanese Art of Shinrin Yoku

Research Article: Phytoncides (Wood Essential Oils) Induce Human Natural Killer Cell Activ

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I have listed below the ten early signs to look in a neurocognitive disorder like Alzheimer’s vs. typical age related loss.

Ten Early Signs of…

Alzheimer’s or neurocognitive disorders vs. typical age related loss:

1. Memory Loss that may disrupt your life V.S. sometimes forgetting appointments and remembering later
2. Challenges in planning or solving problems V.S. making occasional errors balancing a check book
3. Difficulty in completing a familiar task V.S. occasionally needing help to work the TV remote
4. Confusion with time or place V.S. forgetting the day of the week/date but remembering later
5. Trouble understanding visuals & special relationships V.S. vision changes related to medical condition
6. New problems with speaking or writing words V.S. sometimes having trouble finding the right word
7. Misplacing things & losing ability to retrace steps V.S. misplacing things sometimes then finding them
8. Decreased or poor judgement V.S. making a bad decision once in awhile
9. Withdrawal from work or social activities V.S. feeling weary of family or social obligations
10. Change in mood and personality V.S. being irritable when your routine is disrupted

Holistic Aging-Options For Elder Care has the expertise to offers solutions in identifying and management of all neurocognitive disorders. If you or a family member is suffering from Alzheimer’s or other neurocognitive disease, we urge you to contact us. We have the resources, expertise, & sincere drive to ease your mind & increase quality of life. 

Think you need help managing your or a family member’s life and medical care? Not sure what a Life Care Manager can do for you? Here is how we can help.

The post Alzheimer’s – The Most Feared Disease appeared first on Holistic Aging.

Reality therapy:

Interact with the person with dementia within his or her own frame of reference for the world, even if it has little to do with reality.

Validation therapy:

Encourage and validate the person’s view of reality rather than correcting or contradicting it by really listening and asking questions.

Redirection:

Be creative in redirecting conversation without contradicting or denying the person’s statements. Use any opportunity possible to try to elicit fond memories or remind the person of tasks or appointments.

Memory Cueing:

Use words and visuals to cue old or recent memories. For example, play CD’s of family events; place reminder notes in plain view; color code or number things in the order.

Successful communication:

One of the most successful approaches to reducing inappropriate behaviors is to communicate within the affected person’s frame of reference. Consider how your loved one sees the world and interact with respect for that “reality.”

It can also be helpful to engage the person in reminiscing about happier times by sharing memories and old photos; interactions that are focused on past times that the person might be able to recall may be less stressful than trying to communicate about current or recent events, which may not be accessible to the person.

Tips for communicating better:

1. Try to anticipate and address needs or concerns proactively.
2. Listen and communicate patiently; try to reduce the frustrations the person may feel from not being able to communicate effectively.
3. Use memory cues – verbal, visual, auditory – to help the person stay on track during conversations or day-to-day tasks. For example, place clothes prominently in plain sight, in the order in which they should be put on, or visually guide the person during dressing.
4. Write notes to the person to remind him/her to do routine tasks, and provide clear, written directions for accomplishing tasks.

Therapeutic activities help manage the symptoms of Alzheimer’s

Planning structured individualized activities that involve and interest the person with Alzheimer’s may reduce many of the more disturbing behavioral symptoms of AD, such as agitation, anger, frustration, depression, wandering or rummaging.

Holistic Aging’s Life Care Managers who work with Alzheimer’s clients on a regular basis can attest to the success when therapeutic activities focus on the person’s previous interests; cueing the person to old and recent memories while taking advantage of the person’s remaining skills minimizes the impact of skills that may be compromised.

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The first thing you need to do is educate yourself all about Alzheimer’s. Please know that Alzheimer’s Disease begins slowly, it first involves the parts of the brain that control thought, memory and language. Over time, symptoms get worse. People may not recognize family members or have trouble speaking, reading or writing. They may forget how to brush their teeth or comb their hair. Later on, they may become anxious or aggressive, or wander away from home. Eventually, they need total care. Here at Holistic Aging our staff can help educate you and tell you everything you need to know about Alzheimer’s. You can learn more about our amazing staff here – https://holisticaging.com/about/ 

The next step is to be patient. Adjusting to an Alzheimer’s diagnosis is an ongoing process and each person reacts differently. We know it’s hard to deal with a loved one with Alzheimer’s. Which is why we have a customized approach. We will meet with the family and client for an assessment. Our assessment is customized to the person with Dementia and occurs in their current living environment. When we develop a customized plan for your loved one, we will talk about where they are in the disease process, financial status, ability to improve the current living environment along with the family and client desires.

Another step you will want to take is providing your loved one with a calm and soothing environment. When caring for a loved one at home, you can control the environment and the atmosphere you create while caregiving. These factors play a large part in helping a person with Alzheimer’s feel calm and safe.

Honestly, there is so much to take into consideration when dealing with Alzheimer’s disease. We know it is overwhelming! If you are caring for a loved one with Alzheimer’s disease or dementia and need support, contact Holistic Aging today at https://holisticaging.com/contact/ we are here for you!  

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Finding Answers to Alzheimer’s:

Almost all of our clients and readers deal with dementia in some form. Alzheimer’s is definitely prevalent among them. I’m always looking for different resources to learn about our clients and how I might be able to help them even from the administrative end of things. Alzheimer’s is definitely a hot topic for our clients.

Enter “The End of Alzheimer’s” by Dale E. Bredesen, MD. When this book came across my desk I was immediately curious. What secrets could this book hold to actually reverse Alzheimer’s? Immediately, I dug in to learn more about the people we help on a daily basis.

Dr. Dale Bredesen begins his story by explaining why he wrote this book, namely the unproductive research that has been at a stand still for far too long. We weren’t getting anywhere and so many in the world have simply come to except Alzheimer’s as an inevitable fate. Jumping into this research he began to deduced that we need a total change in perspective. He took a note from traditional medicine practices and decided to ask the important question when faced with symptoms. Why?

“Asking why makes all the difference – including as you’ll see, in the prevention and treatment of Alzheimer’s disease.” – Dr. Dale Bredesen, The End of Alzheimer’s, 2017

Dr. Dale Bredesen didn’t go looking for a single pill to cure the symptoms of Alzheimer’s. He took an all encompassing approach, looking at each of the factors in ones life that can cause Alzheimer’s.

The Doctor Explains:

Dr. Bredesen spends a lengthy few paragraphs in his book describing in detail an example of the typical American’s day. He is sure to describe the many little seemingly insignificant things that we do on a typical day. Through-out the monologue you find you’re checking things off, realizing that they are too many things that you do yourself in a typical day that are in this list.

He utilizes this example to point out how many American’s choose to live their lives and how they can cause their own brain’s demise. Sedentary lifestyles, diet, inadequate exposure to the sun, these are just some of the long list things that many of us are doing on a daily basis. All of which, can cause our cognitive decline. To me, that it so important. These aren’t things that are fixed by taking pills, these all are based on our own will and power.

Yet, I know many of us would rather us continue to look for a pill, that easy to solution to an extremely complicated problem. Americans reject being at fault because changing these things is almost like admitting we failed. We are always thinking about when we will be able to relax and do the things we want. We never want to choose to change to better our health. Is the cost of our cognitive functions and the suffering of ourselves as well as the burden on our caretakers for years down the line really worth it? I personally, would much rather moderate that relaxation time and be able to keep myself healthy for longer. I want to leave this world with my mind intact.

The Solution:

Dr. Bredesen introduces to us the regiment that can prevent and end reverse this decline. He details for us all why medically this regiment works. ReCODE is designed to work with the body in preventing beta-amaloids and effectively preventing Alzheimer’s. Beta amaloids are not a new discovery, many researches have been focusing in on beta-amaloids in trying to figure out treatment for Alzheimer’s disease. In fact most of the data and research the ReCODE regime fights against are based on research that many other researchers have found and identified as causes of Alzheimer’s.

ReCODE is all encompassing and those that have tried it have seen real results.

So why hasn’t ReCODE become more mainstream? Because fit doesn’t fit the Medical industries standards for treatment. Why doesn’t it fit? Simply because instead of a one time pill like the ones they use everywhere today, it’s a program. One that includes diet and exercise. Dr. Bredesen’s research is extensive but thwarted by the inability to be accepted by the Modern Medical community as a real treatment for disease.

I hope that soon this will change and Dr. Bredesen’s work can get some real traction, changing the lives of those with Alzheimer’s and their caretakers as we know it for the better.

If you have any questions about The End of Alzheimer’s, contact us today!

Bibliography:

Bredesen, D. (2017). The End of Alzheimer’s: The First Program to Prevent and Reverse Cognitive Decline. Penguin Group USA.

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Listed prominently in one of our clients chart and reinforced for all caregivers to see is the note: “If Jane asks where her husband is, tell her he is at the hardware store and will be back soon.” Jane’s response is typically, “I should have known, it’s where he can always be found when not with me.” This response always brings a smile to Jane’s face and many delightful stories associated with the hardware business.

Jane’s husband had owned a hardware store, and even after he sold the business, he could be found visiting the new owners and pursing the aisles. The family’s on-going joke was that they would bury him there. So we helped the family come up with a good Fibit (lies that are therapeutic).

You see, Jane’s husband had passed two years ago, and Jane would frequently forget. Prior to changing our story, every time Jane asked this question the caregivers in her memory unit would respond with the reality, that her husband had passed two years prior. Jane would find this very upsetting, reliving his death and the emotions associated with it, wondering how a loving wife could forget to attend her husband’s funeral, even questioning if it actually happened. There’s really no way to gently tell someone their spouse is dead….whether that death occurred yesterday or ten years ago.

When working with people with Alzheimer’s Disease or to other types of dementia, we offer “stepping into their world and seeing it from the perspective of the person with dementia”. Unless your loved one is in the very early stage of memory loss and wants to be reminded of a date, time or other reality based topic, join their journey rather than force reality on them. Keep this in mind and consider it when determining if a Fibit is right to use with your loved one, as well as what response to use.  

In recommending the use of a Fibit to those with memory issues or cognitive impairments consider two criteria:

1. Does telling the truth increase stress and anxiety?
2. Does the Fibit response alleviate this stress and anxiety; maybe even bring about joy?

Clearly this was effective for our client, Jane; it may not be for everyone. Each situation needs to be evaluated individually. Honesty is one of the best qualities in a human being and most of us shutter at the thought of telling a perceived lie, especially to our parents that embedded the importance of honesty into us. But sometimes, dementia changes the rules and honesty isn’t always the best policy when it causes pain and anxiety.

For more information on living in the world of Alzheimer’s Disease, visit our website today!

In the below video, panelists share differing thoughts during a discussion on Feb. 7, 2019, entitled “Is Dishonesty in Dementia Care Wrong” Angnieszka Jaworska, a philosophy professor at UC Riverside, underscores the importance of respecting a person’s autonomy. Bioethicist David Magnus and Dr. Marina Martin, both at the Stanford School of Medicine, discuss whether the act of lying may cause one to be less honest more frequently. Frankly, I don’t believe this to be a concern if you follow our recommendations for use of a Fibit.

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“My mom repeats the same story over and over again, but she never forgets to go to Sunday services.”

“Dad misplaces things all the time but is still walking a mile every day.”

This is frequently how adult children express their concerns that their parent could have some type of memory issue when contacting Holistic Aging, A Life Care Management practice located in Pittsburgh PA, for assistance. Often, families readily acknowledge and respond appropriately to physical illnesses. Unfortunately, they also frequently fail to respond to dementia warning signs. Busy primary care practitioners (PCP) fail to recognize the early signs of cognitive decline.  During the typical 15 minute office visit, many patients conceal symptoms or deny their existence.

The Statistics

More than a third of people over age 70 have some form of memory loss, according to a national study by a team of researchers at Duke University Medical Center, the University of Michigan, the University of Iowa, the University of Southern California and the RAND Corporation. The group performed the first population-based study to determine the number of people who have some form of cognitive impairment, with and without dementia. These findings illustrate that nearly every family will be faced with caring for a family member that has some type of memory impairment. As a Life Care Manager, we need to assist families in improving the quality of life for this growing population.

Many people mistakenly use Dementia as a synonym for Alzheimer’s disease. Dementia is an umbrella-like term that can be described as any brain syndrome that causes multiple cognitive deficits, similar as saying when someone has a fever and you do not know the cause.

We will concentrate on the dementia’s most common in the elderly:

• Alzheimer’s Disease which accounts for 50-70% of all dementia cases
• Vascular Disease, which accounts for 15-20% of dementia cases and includes anything diagnosis that disrupts blood high to the brain
• Lewy Body Disease, which accounts for up to 20% of dementia cases

Family Warning Signs of Dementia

Families need to differentiate normal aging from Dementia. Changes in ordinary capability and attitude among the elderly are among the best warning signals that further cognitive screening should be performed.

Below is a list of signs of dementia:

• increased difficulty carrying out ordinary daily activities – initiation of getting dressed or preparing a meal from scratch
• poor or declining cognitive function
• deterioration in hygiene – no longer showering or changing clothes on a routine basis
• inability to fulfill normal responsibilities – leaving unopened mail, paying bills
• health changes – weight loss, incontinence, appetite changes, bruises suggesting a fall
• increased isolation
• loss of ordinary interest in social contacts, activities or hobbies, attitude changes including abuse of alcohol or drugs, reporting depression, unusual argumentativeness or suspiciousness

Diagnosing Dementia

According to the DSM-IV diagnostic criteria assessment for dementia a patient must have:
Memory Loss – inability to learn new information or to recall previously learned information and two or more of the following:

1. Aphasia: language disturbances
2. Apraxia: motor activity impairment although intact function
3. Agnosia: failure to recognize/identify items despite intact sensory functioning
4. Disturbances in Executive Functioning: planning, organizing, sequencing, initiation of tasks
5. Inability to function in a social or occupational setting

Testing Cognitive Function

There are many psychological tests to measure cognitive function. I use a combination of three tests as a concrete justification of the presumed diagnosis based upon observation and family history. By testing cognitive function, this can help determine if the dementia warning signs are there

1. MMSE:

The Mini-Mental State Exam is the most commonly used test for complaints of memory problems or when a diagnosis of dementia is being considered. It also serves as a base line for further testing. The MMSE test includes simple questions and problems in a number of areas: the time and place of the test, repeating lists of words, calculations such as spelling WORLD backwards, language use and comprehension, and basic motor skills. It is the standard test used to measure cognition. The MMSE is primarily used to determine if an older person has dementia of varying nature. In my experience, this test is not as accurate in assessment of the initial stages of dementia for people with a high intellectual ability.

2. Clock Test:

The clock test picks up on memory issues that the MMSE can miss. I personally find it a more reliable instrument as it can pick up executive function abnormalities. Executive cognitive dysfunction can precede the memory disturbances of dementia. People with executive cognitive dysfunction can have a normal Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) score but still have severe functional limitations. The clock test is a moderately sensitive and specific adjunct for detecting executive cognitive dysfunction.

Such disturbances result in difficulties with instrumental activities of daily living (e.g., bathing, dressing, cooking, shopping, driving and taking medications). They produce dissociation between volition and action; for example, patients do not lose their ability to dress but, rather, are unable to initiate these tasks or choose weather-appropriate clothes. Executive function involves the ability to think abstractly, and to plan, initiate, sequence, monitor and stop complex behavior. People with executive dysfunction have difficulty with managing the household finances, taking their medications with reminders, cooking a meal, and performing their activities of daily living, or ADL’s, independently. Detection is critical to the client’s safety and ability to remain living independently.

3. Trail Making Test:

The trail making test (TMT) is a short and convenient estimate of cognitive functions, principally attention and working memory. This test consists of two parts, Part A and and Part B. I usually administer the Part B in either oral or written form. The patient draws a line alternating between serial sequences of numbers and letters (1, A, 2, B etc.). The TMT is thought to require executive control, specifically, flexibility of thinking and greater demand for working memory. The Trail-Making Test B (TMT-B) is a neuropsychological test that may predict ability to drive safely in older adults. 

4. MoCA:

This is my go to test for a comprehensive profile. The Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) is a rapid screening instrument for mild cognitive dysfunction. It assesses different cognitive domains: attention and concentration, executive functions, memory, language, visuoconstructional skills, conceptual thinking, calculations, and orientation. Since the MoCA assesses multiple cognitive domains, it may be a useful cognitive screening tool for several neurological diseases that affect  even the younger populations.

Cognitive testing seems to provide concrete evidence to families that the person does indeed have the cognitive issues they were identifying as concerning. If the family desires further cognitive testing, I recommend a neuropsychological evaluation.

Treating Dementia

Once the dementia is identified, we work with the family to determine the best plan of care for the client in the following areas.

1. Medical Diagnoses:

Some diagnosis’s can mimic dementia symptoms. Assuring that medical issues such as thyroid disorders, B12 deficiency, uncontrolled hypertension, depression, are not contributing to a dementia diagnosis is imperative. Completing testing and blood work can rule out these underlying medical/psychological concerns.

2. Supportive Environment:

A home safety evaluation looks at environmental factors that could put the person with cognitive impairment at risk. These include poor lighting, uneven surfaces, hand rails on steps, grab rails in bathrooms, removal of dangerous/poisonous substances, heating and electrical. 

The kitchen can be a potentially dangerous place for someone who is not able to recognize the danger of a sharp knife or a gas stove left on. Therefore, it is essential to remove sharp instruments and if needed, remove the knobs to a gas oven. An environment with routine and structure as this assists in orientation and the feeling that they are safe and secure. We typically develop a medication distribution system that will assure proper adherence to prescribed medications. 

Ensuring that helpful information is accessible to the client. A large white board with a calendar of daily/weekly events can help reassure the person. Posting of emergency numbers or setting the phone to pre-dialed numbers is also helpful. Physical activity is important as it helps prevent disruptive behavior or agitation. • Avoid excessive stimulation but not to the point of isolation. Encourage continued mental activity including hobbies and current events.

3. Help with Managing Finances:

This is the time for the Durable POA to assume responsibility for managing the person with dementias finances. Direct debits, direct deposits of income and on-line checking helps the job of the POA not be overwhelming. The POA may want to have the mail forwarded to their address to avoid the mail getting lost or misplaced in the home of the person with dementia. It is recommended to keep a detailed record of all financial transactions completed when acting as the POA and to share this information with another family member to avoid any potential problems with family members or the person with dementia may feel people are stealing from them.

4. Outside Help:

Most persons with dementia will resist in home help as they do not have the insight into their need for assistance. I recommend starting with a slow introduction of a medically supervised caretaker into the home that a Life Care Manager has developed a plan of care for the caretaker to follow. Never hire someone directly without direct supervision for a client with dementia.

If the caretaker was a good match, they will develop a relationship so that the person with dementia looks forward to the visits and assistance. The caretaker can assist with personal needs, light housework, meal preparation, laundry, providing meaningful activities, taking the person out, assuring the client takes their medication as scheduled; all dependent on the individual needs of the client. Health Insurance does not cover the cost for in-home care so if the client is low income, there are entitlement programs that may pay for their services.

5. Security:

The person with dementia could wonder outside and forget to close the door, may have problems finding their way home, or lock themselves out and become confused and afraid. The following are good options to help prevent those scenarios. 

• Medical Alert Bracelets inscribed with the diagnosis of dementia and have a number to call for emergencies
• Good to have a space set of keys at the neighbors
• Advise the local police that the person has dementia and if there is a sutable window or door which can be opened from the outside
• Purchase an alert that signals an alarm when a door or window opens
• Although persons with dementia frequently cannot utilize a cell phone, it is a good device to track the wear location of a person using the Google map tool or other method.
• The alarms that require pushing a button on a necklace or arm bracelet are of little help with a person with dementia as the person does not remember how to use it.

6. Medications:

Alzheimer’s drugs might be one strategy to help you temporarily manage memory loss, thinking and reasoning problems, and day-to-day function. Unfortunately, Alzheimer’s drugs don’t work for everyone, and they can’t cure the disease or stop its progression. Over time, their effects wear off.

• The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved two types of drugs specifically to treat symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease.
• Cholinesterase inhibitors : Donepezil (Aricept), Galantamine (Razadyne), Rivastigmine (Exelon)
• Memantine (Namenda) 

 The decision to try one of these drugs should be based on whether any potential benefit is worth the cost, and the risk of side effects.

• Avoid the use of antipsychotics.  In November 2015, the American Geriatrics Society’s evidence-based update of its Beers Criteria for “potentially inappropriate medication use in older adults” stated unequivocally that that antipsychotic medications should be avoided for older people, “except for schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, or short-term use as an antiemetic during chemotherapy.” Citing “increasing evidence of harm associated with antipsychotics and conflicting evidence on their effectiveness in delirium and dementia, the rationale to avoid was modified to ‘avoid antipsychotics for behavioral problems unless nonpharmacological options (e.g., behavioral interventions) have failed or are not possible, and the older adult is threatening substantial harm to self or others” Thus, there is a very limited category of people for whom the drugs could be appropriate.

7. Planning for the Future:

Because dementia is usually progressive it is essential to plan for the future. When it is time to move out of the home to a more supportive environment, professionals with expertise in dementia care can make the best decision. This decision depends on many factors such as severity of the disease, behavioral issues, finances, home environment, family availability, and presence of other physical or psychological disorders impacting on the dementia. The final stages of dementia are one of the most difficult to manage in a home environment. This is especially so if associated behavioral issues arise.

When the home is no longer a safe place for the patient with dementia, the next step is to look for an assisted living that specializes in the care of those with a diagnosis of Alzheimer’s or dementia. You want to choose a dementia specific units that is equipped to handle all the physical, environmental, behavioral and psychological issues associated with end stages of dementia using primarily behavioral measures vs. primarily medication management. It’s important to recognize that Assisted livings/Personal Care Homes are not licensed to provide medical oversight.

End of Life Issues need to be addressed early on when a diagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease or dementia is determined. Families need to determine a long range plan including how they will manage the final stages of the disease. Treatment should maintain comfort rather than prolong life. Hospice should be consulted early on to assist in the management of this life limiting illness. This provides much needed support to the client and family. Beyond that it assures the final stages of this disease maintain dignity for the client and family.

If you are seeing dementia warning signs and have reasons to believe that your loved one has Dementia or Alzheimer’s Disease, contact us today to set up a meeting!

Bobbi (Barbara) Kolonay RN BSN MS CCM
Certified Holistic Nurse
President of:
HOLISTIC AGING & OPTIONS FOR ELDER CARE
4284 Route 8 Ste #103
Allison Park PA 15101
P: 412-486-6677
F: 412-486-6687

www.HolisticAging.com

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As a caregiver for a loved one, it can be extremely worrying to experience the behavior problems associated with mid-stage Alzheimer’s disease. These behaviors include wandering, aggressiveness, hallucinations, or sleeping and eating difficulties. Additionally, any behavior problems worsen in an inadequate environment and the inability to deal with stress. By learning how to make changes in the caring atmosphere, you can increase the quality of life for both the person with Alzheimer’s disease and yourself. Here are some tips for managing Alzheimer’s behavior challenges

Tip 1: Identify Causes of Problematic Behavior

Problematic behavior is often a way the Alzheimer’s patient tries to communicate with you. The progression of the disease means that they may no longer be able to communicate verbally. However, they are still emotionally conscious and will remain so, often until the very end of life.

In many cases the patient’s behavior is a reaction to an uncomfortable or stressful environment. If you can identify the stressor or trigger of their discomfort, you can resolve the problem behavior with greater ease. Remember that the person with dementia is not being deliberately difficult. Their sense of reality may be different to yours, but it’s still very real to them.

Some ways to help identify the causes of problematic behavior:

• Try to put yourself in the person’s situation. Look at their body language and imagine how they might be feeling and what they might be trying to express.
• Ask yourself what happened just before the problematic behavior started? Did something trigger the behavior?
• Are the person’s needs being met?
• Does changing the environment or the atmosphere help to comfort the person?
• How did you react to the behavior? Did your reaction help to soothe the person or did it make the behavior worse?

Tip 2: Create a Calm and Soothing Environment

As a caregiver, you may not be able to control the person you’re caring for. However, if you’re caring for your loved one at home, you can control the environment and the atmosphere you create while caregiving. These factors play a large part in helping a person with Alzheimer’s feel calm and safe.

• Modify the environment to reduce potential stressors
  • Stressors create agitation and disorientation in the person with Alzheimer’s . These include loud or unidentifiable noises, shadowy lighting, mirrors or other reflecting surfaces, garish or highly contrasting colors, and patterned wallpaper.
• Maintain calm within yourself
  • Getting anxious or upset in response to problem behavior can increase their stress or agitation. Respond to the emotion being communicated by the behavior, not the behavior itself. Try to remain flexible, patient, and relaxed. Remember, the person is responding to your tone of voice and body language more than the content of what you’re saying. If you find yourself becoming anxious or losing control, take a time out to quickly relieve stress.

Manage stress in someone with Alzheimer’s:

Different stress-reducing techniques work better for some people with Alzheimer’s than others, so you may need to experiment to find the ones that best help your loved one.

• Exercise
  • Exercise is one of the best stress-relievers for both the person with Alzheimer’s and you, the caregiver. Regular walking, movement, or seated exercises can have a positive effect on many problem behaviors, such as aggression, wandering, and difficulty sleeping. Indoor shopping malls are vast walking opportunities protected from the weather. Or you may even consider singing and dancing.
• Simple activities can be a way for the person to reconnect with their earlier life.
  • Someone who used to enjoy cooking, for example, may still gain pleasure from the simple chore of washing vegetables for dinner. Try to involve the person in as many productive daily activities as possible. Folding laundry, watering plants, or going for a drive in the country can all help to manage stress.
• Use calming music
  • Play a calming song or the person’s favorite type of music as a way to relax them when agitated. Music therapy can also help soothe the person during mealtimes and bath times, making the processes easier for both patient and caregiver.
• Interacting with other people is still important
  • While large groups of strangers may only increase stress levels for the person with Alzheimer’s, spending time with different people in one-on-one situations can help to increase physical and social activity.
• Pets can provide a source of positive, nonverbal communication
  •  As a result of the playful interaction and gentle touch from a well-trained, docile animal the person is soothed and experience a decrease aggressive behavior.
• Aromatherapy
  •  The use of Lavender Essential Oil (Lavandula Angustifolia) to calm a person with anxiety has been demonstrated in numerous medical studies to be very effective in decreasing anxiety and improving restlessness.

To help both you and your loved one with Alzheimer’s Disease, try these tips for managing Alzheimer’s behavior challenges. You will find the most success asking yourself “what matters to the person with Alzheimer’s disease” and not “what is the matter with the person with Alzheimer’s disease.” For more information about Alzheimer’s Disease, contact us today!

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